How to Get into Harvard Business School?
Many business aspirants dream of getting into Harvard Business School because of its excellence in business education. As Harvard is one of the best universities in the world, getting admission here is no less than a challenge. Don’t worry; we are here to rescue you and guide you on how to get into Harvard for an MBA.
To secure a spot at Harvard, you need to stand out from the competitive application pool, and for that, you should understand the application process and approach strategically. This article will guide you on getting an MBA from Harvard, the application process, and valuable tips on making your application compelling and impressive. Keep reading to learn how to get into Harvard Business School.
Applying is not enough if you want to pursue business at Harvard. You must be wondering why. Well, it’s because the admission committee of Harvard Business School (HBS) is highly selective, and not all applications get approved.
So, if you want to become a qualifying candidate for Harvard Business School and trying to get into Harvard for an MBA, then follow the following steps. I followed these steps while submitting my application and secured a spot for myself in the Harvard Business School MBA program.
Do Some Research
Do not just fill out and submit the application form; it is not the right approach. You must be thinking about what you should be doing then, right? Start by searching about the Harvard Business School MBA program requirements and expectations.
Learn about their admission criteria and all the factors that influence the selection of an applicant, like academic qualification, work experience, extracurricular involvement, etc. Ensure you fulfill all these selection factors and have the required documents to be eligible for the Harvard MBA program.
Admission Requirements
Harvard has strict admission criteria, and having an excellent academic background is one of them. According to recent reports, the educational requirements to secure a spot at Harvard Business School for the Class of 2025 are mentioned in the table below.
Average GPA | 3.73 |
Average GMAT Score | 740 |
Work Experience | 4.9 years |
To enter Harvard Business School for an MBA program, a candidate should ace academically and gain work experience. Many of you must be wondering why they need work experience to study at Harvard, aren’t you?
Well, it’s because work experience showcases a candidate’s strong work ethic and essential skills like critical thinking, problem-solving, leadership qualities, etc. Therefore, before you initiate the application process, ensure you have relevant work experience to enhance your chances of acceptance.
Highlight Your Qualities in HBS Essay
Another critical part of the Harvard MBA application is a personal statement reflecting your true self, achievements, qualities, passion, future plans, etc. You need to craft a unique application that shows your motivation and dedication towards Harvard Business School and your passion for learning the art of business. Write it in a way that inspires the reader to explain why you are the perfect candidate for Harvard Business School and why Harvard is the best choice for you.
Letter of Recommendation
To complete the application process, you will need two letters of recommendation from your mentor, previous professors, etc. Try to get a recommendation letter from someone who knows you well and provides a detailed and insightful evaluation of your achievements, capabilities, and work ethic. You can also share your thoughts and guide your recommenders on what characteristics and qualities they must discuss in your recommendation letter that will make you an exceptional applicant for the Harvard Business School MBA program.
Submit a Great Application
Once you are done with all the steps mentioned above, you can step ahead and submit a compelling application that covers all the admission requirements and selection factors for the Harvard Business School MBA program. The acceptance rate is only 11%, and you can estimate from this figure how hard it is to get into Harvard MBA. The only way to be successful and pass the application process is to submit a great application that fulfills all their requirements and provides a candidate that suits their unparalleled expectations.
Prepare for the Interview
The journey of getting into the Harvard MBA does not end with the application submission. Besides submitting a killer application, you must prepare for the interview in a way that reflects your passion and matches the application you have submitted.
Before submitting my application, I read it thoroughly and tried to find out the “WHYs” in my application and prepare an answer beforehand, which helped me immensely in the interview. Moreover, you can also get help from alumni or seniors to prepare common interview questions and get some tips that helped them get into Harvard for an MBA program.
Tips to Get into Harvard Business School
Considering the tough competition and low acceptance rate, getting into Harvard Business School is challenging. But don’t worry; here are a few valuable tips that helped me get into Harvard. I am confident these will be of great help to you, too.
- Begin your research early and collect all the information about their admission criteria.
- Ace your academics and GMAT. Perform exceptionally well in academics, get relevant work experience, and develop essential skills to prove yourself the best candidate who qualifies all their selection factors.
- Write an outstanding personal statement that persuades the admission committee that you are a perfect candidate for HBS.
- As per my experience, I would suggest you submit your application early as applications submitted on the end dates usually do not get as much attention as early ones.
How hard is it to get into an MBA at Harvard?
Considering the number of applications HBS receives yearly and its strict evaluation criteria, it is hard to get into an MBA program at Harvard. The acceptance rate is only 9%, meaning not all MBA applications get accepted by HBS.
What GPA do you need to get into Harvard MBA?
According to the reports and previous results, you should at least have a 3.7 GPA out of 4.0 to get into Harvard MBA.
How can I get admission to Harvard for an MBA?
To get admission to an MBA at Harvard, you need a three-year bachelor’s degree and pass the GMAT or GRE tests with outstanding scores.
Getting into Harvard for an MBA is overwhelming for countless candidates because of its unrealistically high academic performance, work experience, and skill requirements. Undoubtedly, getting into Harvard Business School is hard, but if you ace your academics and prepare yourself to fulfill all your needs, no one can stop you from getting into Harvard for an MBA program.
I am positive you will find this article helpful, and if you follow our guidelines, you will be able to submit a perfect, strategically planned MBA application at Harvard Business School that will help you enter your dream school. Good Luck.